Graduate Programs in Sustainability

A reader asks:

I’ve been wondering if going to business school with a focus on sustainability would be a good idea in the near future. Are educational programs developed enough to gain meaningful credentials and a wholesome learning experience?

I’m not an expert in this space, but I would say yes, there are graduate programs that I think are terrific.  In particular, a friend of mine is closely connected to the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at the University of California at Santa Barbara.  As far as I can tell, this is an absolutely fabulous institution, and I’m sure there many hundreds of others like it.

Here’s another tip on the subject I got from Amory Lovins, from my front-row seat at a presentation he gave at Bren a few months ago.  “If your advisor looks at your coursework and says, ‘I don’t see the connection between the classes you’re taking,’ you know you’re on the right track.”  His point, obviously, is that a good approach to the subject is eclectic, since environmental studies are, by their very nature, multi-disciplinary.

I envy you.

Best of luck!